Many users have more than one email client on their desktop. Often users prefer to make Thunderbird the default email client over the default mail app, like Outlook (on Windows) or Apple Mail (on Mac).
Setting Thunderbird as the default email client for sending & receiving emails, and managing contacts & calendars, enables you to directly open the mail link in Thunderbird.
Not only is Mozilla Thunderbird free & open-source, but it is also available on all Mac, Windows & Linux devices. Additional utilities like address books, calendars, add-ons, advanced filters, and a native import option from other email clients make it popular among users.
Here we have listed step-by-step instructions to change your default email client to Mozilla Thunderbird on Mac, Windows & Linux devices.
How to Set Thunderbird as the Default Email Client on Windows 10 & 11?
Make Thunderbird as your system’s default email application for direct access to .eml, mailto, and .wdseml using the default app settings.
- Click on Start and search for “Default App.”
- Search for Thunderbird in the “Set Default for Application.”
- Click Mozilla Thunderbird.
- Click on the small arrow (->) in front of .eml.
- In the pop-up window, choose “Thunderbird” and choose “Set as Default.”
- Repeat the process for “MAILTO” to make Thunderbird default mail as well as .wdseml.
Make Thunderbird Default Email Client for Calendar: Windows 11 & 10
In the Windows OS, you will have to set Thunderbird separately as the calendar default.
- Under the “Set Default for Application” in “Default App Settings,” choose “Thunderbird Calendar.”
- Set “Thunderbird” as the default in .ics, WEBCAL, and WEBCALS.
Set Thunderbird as the Default Mail Reader and Sender App on macOS
Note: These steps are for the latest Mac version, like Sequoia, Tahoe, etc. Steps may vary based on your Mac version.
- Go to Mail >> Preferences.
- Navigate to the “General Tab.”
- From the “Default Mail Reader” option.
- Select “Thunderbird”
If email addresses or mail links are clicked, Thunderbird will be set as the default mail application instead of the default Mac mail app.
Keep in mind: Ensure that you have Thunderbird Mac Mail already configured on your Mac device.
Additional Setting: Set Thunderbird as Default Email Client Within the App
Thunderbird offers its users direct settings to check if it is the operating system’s default mail client each time it is started. Although these settings are optional but recommended for seamless operations.
- Launch the Thunderbird application on your Mac & Windows.
- Go to Settings >> General.
- Scroll to the “System Integration” section.
- Check the boxes for “Always check to see if Thunderbird is the default mail client on startup” & “Allow Windows Search to search messages.”
- Restart Mozilla Thunderbird if prompted to make Thunderbird the default email client.
Steps to Make Thunderbird the Default Email Client on Linux
Linux (GNOME) offers its users both a direct way to change the default email client to Thunderbird and to use the CLI of Linux to set it as the default.
Method 1: Using System Settings
- Go to Settings >> Application.
- Under the default application.
- Set Mail and Calendar as “Thunderbird”
- Restart your PC.
Method 2: Using CLI
Users often complain about “not being able to set Thunderbird as the default email client” on Linux. In such scenarios, using CLI can be a root-level approach.
- Open Terminal on Linux (Ctrl + Alt + T).
- Copy and paste the following command xdg-settings set default-url-scheme-handler mailto thunderbird.desktop and press enter.
- Your Thunderbird is now set to default on Linux.
Note: These are reliable approaches for Ubuntu, Linux Mint, and Fedora.
Quick Fixes if You Cannot Make Thunderbird the Default Email Client
If you have followed the above steps correctly and still find that Thunderbird is not set as the default email application, try out the easy expert-tested fixes below.
- Update the Mozilla Thunderbird version.
- Restart the Thunderbird application.
- Update the system integration setting inside Thunderbird.
- Or migrate all mailboxes to Thunderbird and delete the other application.
Setting Thunderbird as Default?
Move All Data from Other Email Clients to Thunderbird for Quick Access. Your default email client only manages multiple email accounts in one place, but it could be storing important mailbox data locally also.
Thunderbird Import Tools is a quick and easy way to import data from any email client to Thunderbird, regardless of file format. It preserves attachments, contacts, calendars, and metadata.
No need to juggle between email clients for mailbox access. Centralize every mailbox to Thunderbird and make Thunderbird the default email client. Download the professional application today. A free trial version is also available.
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